# NTSB BFO86FIA02: Piper PA 28-161, N36489, Stanley, VA, August 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1986, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Stanley, VA
- Coordinates: 38.659423, -78.449913 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6594&lon=-78.4499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FIA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11220/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FIA02

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PLT HAD CROSSED THE 1ST RIDGE AT APRX 800 FT AGL ACCORDING TO THE PLT. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SAID LATER THAT HE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE FLT THAT THE ACFT WAS TOO LOW. HE SAID THAT THE PLT TOLD HIM THAT 'THE SCENARY IS BETTER DOWN HERE.' THE PASSENGER SAID THAT THE ACFT WAS NEVER HIGHER THAN THE THIRD RIDGE. WHEN THE PLT TRIED TO CLIMB OVER THIS THIRD RIDGE THE AIRSPEED BEGAN TO DROP. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT THE PLT CONTINUED A STEADY COURSE TOWARD THE RIDGE AND JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT TRIED TO CLIMB STEEPER. THE STALL WARNING WENT OFF AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36489](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36489-1989-07-19), registration cancelled 1989-07-19, S/N 287816641 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2807816641
- Airframe hours: 2843
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ft. Eustis Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1986, 84 hours before
- Departed: W45, LURAY, VA
- Destination: FAF, FT. EUSTIS, VA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; military, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 24 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19860816040369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860816040369A), Aug 16, 1986: Piper PA28161, Stanley, VA, Destroyed. Flying too low over mountain terrain. Downdraft. Tried to climb to miss rising terrain. Stalled into trees.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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